Train strikes going ahead

Scott McAngus

Services on the Glasgow to Edinburgh line via Falkirk High, Polmont and Linlithgow will be running at a reduced service on the six days the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union has confirmed its members will strike on.

The Anniesland to Falkirk Grahmaston service will be cancelled with no replacement bus service in place.

The dispute is over driver-only trains. RMT has a policy for no extension of driver-only trains on any route or service and for guards to be in full operational control of power-operated doors on trains.

RMT say more driver-only trains is an attack on staff’s terms and conditions as well as raising safety concerns for passengers as driver-only trains mean there is no guard operating the doors when people are boarding or alighting trains.

Union members will also ban overtime on the strike days, which will take place on Tuesday, June 21, Thursday, June 23, Saturday, June 25, Sunday, June 26, Sunday, July 3, Sunday, July 10 and Sunday, July 17.

The Strike action will only affect diesel train services where a conductor rather than a ticket examiner is on board. Services which travel on electrified lines will be unaffected.

A statement on Scotrail’s website said: “We remain committed to holding further talks in a bid to avoid any action. In the meantime we are putting plans in place to run as many trains as possible to help you get where you need to go.”

The company has also issued advice for passengers on strike days:

Keep checking for updates on www.scotrail.co.uk where up-to-date information will be added.

Once strike day timetables are available, plan your own journey online or via the Scotrail mobile app.

Trains that are running will be busier. Try to buy tickets for travel in advance – preferably the day before – as this should save time.

Travel outwith peak times or work from home if you can.

Keep tickets safe; they will be needed if you decide not to travel and wish to claim a refund.

Train times

Edinburgh - Glasgow

Linlithgow: starting at 7.05am running every hour until 7.05pm then another at 7.52pm. Some of these services are also running at four minutes past the hour.

Polmont: Starting at 7.12am running every hour 7.11pm then another at 7.58pm. Some of these services also run at 10, 11 minutes and 14 minutes the past the hour so check times when travelling.

Falkirk High: Starting at 7.17am running every hour until 7.16pm then another at 8.02pm. Some services also run at 16, 15 and 19 minutes past the hour so check times when travelling.

Glasgow - Edinburgh

Falkirk High: Starting at 7.33am running every hour until 7.35pm. Some services also run at 31, 34 and 35 minutes past the hour so check times when travelling.

Polmont: Starting at 7.38am running every hour until 7.40pm. Some services also run at 36, 40 and 39 minutes past the hour so check times when travelling.

Linlithgow: Starting at 7.45am running every hour until 7.46pm. Some services also run at 44 and 46 minutes past the hour so check times when travelling.